Weight distribution measuring device



March 28, 1961 J. J. BYER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MEASURING DEVICE Filed May 22, 1958 EXTRA rum l? Mzmun mml f' INVENToR. Joh/HH d'. BYER,

ATTORNEY.

.Jam

WEIGHT DISUTIGN MEASURING DEVICE Jonah J. Byer, 59 Hilldale Road, West Hartford, Conn.

Filed May 22, 1958, Ser. No. 737,063

1 Claim. (Cl. 73-172) This invention relates to a weight distribution measuring device and more particularly to a device for indicating the degree of firmness which is required in mattresses for dilerent persons according to their weight and form.

Persons of different weights and forms require mattresses having dilerent degrees of rmness for maximum comfort, and heretofore it has been diiiicult to determine the correct firmness of a mattress for a particular person without actually using the mattress for a period of time. This has been objectionable for the reason that mattresses are often returned by the buyers after having been tried for a length of time by actual use and such mattresses must necessarily be sold to other persons.

An object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a device for indicating the correct firmness which a person requires in a mattress to best suit his physical characteristics and provide maximum comfort.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a weight distribution measuring device in the form of a mattress having visible means for indicating the correct firmness required in a mattress by a person lying on said device.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following description and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a measuring device embodying the present invention; a portion of the covering for the mattress which forms a part of the device being broken away to show its construction.

Fig. 2 is a sectional front view of said device on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional end view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig; `3, but illustrating the operation of said device.

As shown in the drawing, my improved weight distribution measuring device preferably includes a mattress 5 of conventional form having the usual series of transverse rows of vertically compressible springs `6 of a suitable stiffness which are tied together at their top and bottom ends and are surrounded by upper and lower frame bars 7 and 8, respectively. The said mattress has a resilient layer of padding 9 disposed over the tops of said springs and a covering 19 is provided over the entire mattress which the exception of the rear side thereof. At said rear side, there is provided a vertically disposed indicating panel 11 which is secured to the mattress in any suitable manner, preferably by being fastened to the portion of one or both of the frame bars 7 and 8 which extend along the rearside of the mattress, and the covering 10 is attached to said panel 11 as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In accordance with the present invention, an indicator rod 12 is secured, by suitable clamps 1'3, to the upper coils of two or more springs 6 in each of a plurality of transverse rows of springs in the mattress. In order to provide the most accurate measurement of weight distribution, each of said rods is preferably secured to the spring at the center of its respective transverse row and to each of the two springs adjacent thereto, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The rods 12 extend transversely from the mattress under the upper frame bar 7 and through ICC vertical slots 14 in the lower portion of the panel 11 which are in register therewith. Said rods have upwardly extending portions 15 which are disposed behind the panel 11 and forwardly extending terminal portions 16 which project through vertical slots 17 in the upper portion of the panel 11 that are vertically aligned with the slots 14.

The front ends of said portions 16 are provided with visible indicating means, preferably in the form of balls or knobs 18, and the front surface of the upper portion of the panel member 11 is provided with suitable indicia defining a scale 19 comprised of three horizontally disposed parallel stripes 20, 21 and 22 indicating zones for mattresses of different degrees of firmness. The said stripes may be in different colors to facilitate the reading of an indication thereon by the balls 18 and, since they are located upon the upper part of the panel member 11, the indication may be easily read by a person lying upon the mattress of the device for an indication of the degree of rmness which is most appropriate for him in a regular mattress.

In the use of said device, the person for whom the indication is desired merely lies upon the center portion of the mattress in a relaxed manner, so that his weight is distributed normally thereon. This causes deflection of the springs 12 and movement of their upper coils to different positions in accordance with the Weight distribution of the person lying on the mattress. The rods 12, which are secured to said springs, therefore move downwardly an amount equal to the deflection of their respective springs and the balls 18 will thus assume different positions with relation to the zones 20, 21, and 22 on the scale 19 to visibly indicate the Weight contour of the person lying on the mattress as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The zone occupied by the lowermost ball 18 indicates the correct type of mattress for the person whose weight distribution is being tested.

As above mentioned, the rods 12 are preferably secured to the three centrally located springs in each transverse row of springs so that said rods will remain substantially horizontal and will accurately reflect the amount of deilection of the springs to which they are attached.

I claim:

A weight distribution measuring device including a mattress having a plurality of vertically compressible springs therein arranged in longitudinally spaced transverse rows, an indicator rod connected to the upper ends of at least two of said springs in each of a plurality of said transverse rows, said rods being movable vertically with said springs upon deflection thereof under the Weight of a person lying on said mattress, a stationary indicating panel secured to said mattress and having slots therein in register with said indicator rods, said indicator rods extending transversely from said mattress through said slots and having vertical portions disposed behind said panel and horizontal terminal portions extending through said slots to the front of said panel, said panel having indicia on the front surface thereof providing a vertical scale including a plurality of zones denoting the different degrees of mattress firmness, the terminal portions of said indicator rods being movable relatively to said scale upon deection of their respective springs to indicate by their positions in said ones the weight distribution of the person lying on said mattress.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 322,870 Turnbull July 2l, 1885 2,327,829 Sternberg et al. Aug. 24, 1943 2,3 74,105 Kraus Apr. 17. 1945 2,644,332 Ulrich July 7, 1953 

